The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show: Hour 1 - New Trump Talking Point

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosted by Premiere Networks, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a significant national security mishap involving the inadvertent inclusion of a prominent journalist in a sensitive government group chat. The hosts analyze the implications of this incident, discuss operational security within governmental communications, and explore potential improvements to prevent future breaches. Additionally, they touch upon breaking news related to the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire.

1. The Signal App Group Chat Incident

a. Background of the Incident

The episode centers around a recent security breach where National Security Adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, to an 18-member group chat on the Signal app. Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption and privacy features, is commonly used for secure communications. However, in this case, the inclusion of a journalist in the group chat raised concerns about potential leaks of classified information.

• Buck Sexton (00:30): “Introduced the topic of the group chat involving Mike Waltz and Jeffrey Goldberg.”

b. Implications on Operational Security

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss the severity of the breach, emphasizing that while Signal is a secure platform, the mistake of adding an unauthorized journalist can lead to unintended disclosures. They debate whether this incident constitutes a significant threat to national security or if it’s primarily a political embarrassment.

• Clay Travis (05:18): “From a national security harm perspective, there was no harm. The harm was non- realized... Jeffrey Goldberg did not try to sabotage national security.”

c. Evaluating the Severity

The hosts weigh in on whether the information shared in the group chat was classified and the potential repercussions of such an inclusion. They suggest that since the shared information didn't lead to any realized harm, the incident might be more about political maneuvering than actual security risks.

• Buck Sexton (06:00): “The new talking point is this encryption failure.”

d. Quotes Highlighting the Discussion

• Buck Sexton (07:19): “We just say that by way of disclosure, like, or they’re people that we are friends with... they are patriots.”

• Clay Travis (10:21): “He didn’t try to... …that’s to all of our benefit.”

2. Operational Security and Communication Tools

a. The Importance of Secure Communication

Clay, drawing from his time at the CIA, underscores the critical nature of operational security (OpSec) in governmental operations. He highlights the challenges of maintaining secure and classified communication among officials who are often geographically dispersed.

• Clay Travis (12:29): “This is where operational security comes in... it’s on everybody to be protecting sensitive information all the time.”

b. Modernizing Government Communication

The discussion extends to the need for updated communication systems tailored to modern methods, especially for younger officials accustomed to instant messaging and group chats. The hosts argue for the development of secure, government-designed communication tools that can prevent such accidental inclusions in the future.

• Buck Sexton (30:20): “Why would a communication like this be taking place in your mind? What does it suggest?”

c. Balancing Privacy and Security

They debate the balance between maintaining personal privacy through apps like Signal and the necessity of safeguarding national security. The conversation touches on how technological advancements require corresponding security measures to adapt to new communication habits.

• Clay Travis (13:40): “First and last line of classification in reality... you determine in all of your communications.”

3. Listener Interaction: Brett's Call

Listener Brett from Louisiana calls in with questions about the incident, seeking clarity on why Mike Waltz included Jeffrey Goldberg in the group chat and expressing skepticism about Goldberg's presence given his journalistic stance.

• Brett (38:22): “Why did Waltz add Goldberg to this chat and why is he even communicating with this guy?”

a. Hosts' Responses

Clay and Buck acknowledge the confusion surrounding Goldberg's addition to the chat. They speculate it might have been an accidental inclusion or a result of misidentification, given the similarity in names. Clay emphasizes the importance of responsible communication and the ethical duty to prioritize national security over sensationalism.

• Clay Travis (40:46): “If I were in this chat, I would say, hey, guys, you know, I'm going to duck out now.”

• Buck Sexton (41:07): “Why is no one asking the question? Why didn't he immediately just withdraw?”

4. Breaking News: Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire

Amidst the ongoing discussion about the group chat incident, the hosts briefly address breaking news regarding a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia. They highlight the potential economic benefits of resuming trade across the Black Sea, such as stabilizing grain exports from Ukraine and reducing energy costs due to the return of Russian oil to the markets.

• Clay Travis (19:29): “The White House says that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to cease fighting in the Black Sea and a halt to strikes on energy facilities.”

• Buck Sexton (20:25): “If we can get trade to resume across this area, it would actually have massive deflationary impacts because Russian oil would come on the markets again and we would be able to get goods cheaper.”

5. Concluding Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, Clay and Buck reiterate the importance of transparency and honesty in addressing national security issues. They assert their commitment to keeping their audience informed with accurate information, even when it involves delicate or politically charged topics.

• Buck Sexton (24:02): “Our job is to be honest with all of you about big stories... intelligent, even if it's not the perfect story.”

• Clay Travis (25:35): “And I was in the CIA and faced imprisonment if I messed up these rules. So I know what I'm talking about.”

Key Takeaways

• Operational Security is Paramount: The accidental inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in a sensitive government group chat highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining secure communications within governmental bodies.

• Need for Modern Communication Solutions: As communication methods evolve, so must the security protocols and tools used by national security officials to prevent accidental leaks.

• Balance Between Privacy and Security: While apps like Signal offer privacy, their use in government communications requires stringent oversight to ensure national security isn't compromised.

• Commitment to Transparency: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton emphasize the importance of being forthright with their audience, fostering a well-informed listener base.

• International Implications: The Ukraine-Russia ceasefire has significant economic and geopolitical ramifications, underscoring the interconnectedness of global events and national security.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Clay Travis (05:18): “From a national security harm perspective, there was no harm. The harm was non- realized...”

• Buck Sexton (07:19): “Some of these individuals are friends of ours... they are patriots.”

• Clay Travis (13:40): “You determine in all of your communications, if I'm talking to somebody on the phone...”

• Buck Sexton (29:29): “Just this is how people who are under the age of 50 overwhelmingly communicate.”

• Clay Travis (30:19): “I have a very different opinion. I think our job is to be honest with all of you about big stories...”

Conclusion

This episode sheds light on the critical issue of operational security within government communications, using the recent Signal app group chat incident as a case study. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton provide insightful analysis on the balance between maintaining secure channels and adapting to modern communication practices. Their commitment to transparency ensures that listeners are well-informed about the complexities surrounding national security and the ever-evolving landscape of information sharing.